Flow control valve for drinking containers and the like



D. C. CASULL May 18, 1965 FLOW CONTROL VALVE FOR DRINKING CONTAINERS AND THE LIKE Filed May 2'7, 1963 Qmurl fill!!!).dl/fI/l/I/Illf/ FIG. 6

6 FIG. 9

FIG. 5

FIG. 8.

INVENTOR.

DON c. CASULL BY [QJMQJM ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,184,126 FLow CONTROL VALVE non one CONTAINERS AND THE LIKE Don C. Casull, 3112 South 7th East, Salt Lake City, Utah Filed May 27, 1963, Ser. No. 283,381 8 Claims. (Cl. 222-487) This invention relates generally to flow-control devices and more particlarly to an improved valving means for controlling the flow of liquids through or into and out of flexible-walled vessels such as tubes or drinking containers.

It is the broad object of the invention to provide a valve arrangement of simple, economical construction and adapted to be employed in a flexible-walled vessel to normally seal or block liquid flow in the manner of a stopper, while enabling controlled liquid fiow by the application of pressure solely to the external walls of the vessel.

A more specific object is the provision of a valved drinking container-for use in a variety or" situations, such as feeding ill persons, infants, and train or air travelersthat provides controlled liquid fiow only when pressure is applied during use and when not in use, automatically seals against liquid flow thereby preventing spillage under all conditions even when tipped or inverted.

A further object is the provision of a particular construction embodying the invention in combination with auxiliary control means to further enhance its use by enabling more sensitive regulation of the pressure applied liquid flow.

Still another object is the provision of a specific embodiment of the invention for use as a how control valve in flexible conduits such as employed in laboratory work.

Other and more specific related objects of the invention will be apparent from a study of the accompanying drawings and their description, it being understood that these are offered by way of example only and not in limitation of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims rather than by any preceding description.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial side sectional view of a drinking container embodying the invention, the valve being in the closed or sealed position.

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the container of FIG. 1 taken as looking in the direction of arrows 2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial side sectional view of the container of FIGS. 1 and 2 but with the valve in the open or flow position.

FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of the container, taken as looking in the direction of arrows 4 of. FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view, partially in section, illustrating the invention in combination with a mechanical control.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the container of FIG. 5 taken as looking in the direction of arrows 6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view further illustrating operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of a modified form of a valve washer of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of a structure embodying the invention as a linear-flow control valve for use in tubes or conduits.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated a drinking container 11 having sidewalls 12 formed from material, such as plastic or paperboard, that is deformable upon the application of exteriorly applied pressure. The cup is desirably provided with a retaining groove 13 formed in an upper portion of its wall.

A complemental valve member 14 of a particular structure to be hereinafter described is removably fitted into the top portion of the container, with its peripheral edges 3,,ld,l25 Patented May 18, 1965 snapped into the retaining groove in sealing engagement with the container walls.

As noted, the valve is of a particular structure comprising a resilient or deformable outer edge portion 16 and a relatively rigid or non-deformable stiiiener 17 inboard of the edge. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7 the overall valve member is molded as a single piece of resilient material (rubber or plastic) and the stiffener is in the form of a steel washer 17 molded in the flexible material.

To facilitate drinking from the cup, the valve is formed with a central depressed portion to accommodate a persons nose.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the entire peripheral edge of the valve is normally in contact with the container wall, thus providing an effective closure. However (FIGS. 3, 4 and 7) flow openings are created by the application of finger pressure to opposite side portions of the container walls. Such pressure deflects or compresses only the soft periphery of the washer thus enabling the container to be deformed from its normal round configuration to an oval shape. The stiffener 17, which must have greater resistance to deformation than either the container or the resilient portion of the valve, substantially retains its original shape. The result is that top and bottom passages, 18 and 19 respectively, are opened be tween the washer edge and the container side wall thus enabling inflow of air through passage 18 and outflow of liquid through passage 19.

Within the limits of the material of construction, the rate of flow is controlled simply by regulating the amount of pressure applied to the side walls of the container.

Release of pressure from the container walls automatically closes the valve to block liquid how. This is of great importance because it eliminates entirely the danger of spilling even if the container is dropped or knocked from the users hand as might well occur when feeding an infant. Also, it enables the user to let a measured amount of liquid flow into the upper portion of the container above the valve and, upon release of pressure, retain it there for drinking.

In some situations it is desirable to provide for a more sensitive application of pressure through means obviating the requirement to precisely position the fingers adjacent the edge of the washer. The embodiment of FIGS. 5-6 illustrates a preferred structure for effecting this type of operation.

In FIGS. 5 and 6 the container and valve as well as their general functions are the same as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and similar reference numerals are employed to designate similar elements.

In order to provide for controlled pressure application, a lever structure is provided which comprises a generally U-shaped member 21 having its free ends 22 pivoted to the container walls by means of pins 23 journalled in bearing lugs 24. The lever 21 is normally urged away from the container by a resilient member acting between it and the outer container wall. In the embodiment illustrated, such outward urging is eliected by a spring steel member 26 connected at one end to the closed end of the U and having its free end bearing against the container wall. It is to be understood, however, that the container itself may urge the lever to the off position.

Pressure application is provided for by means of inwardly projecting lugs 27 mounted on each arm of the U member adjacent but spaced from their pivotal connection to the container.

With this arrangement a light pressure applied to the lever arm 21 swings it toward the container thus moving the inwardly projecting lugs toward and against the raised portion of the container forming the outer wall of the groove 13 to thereby apply localized pressure to the container and valve. Upon'release of pressure, the spring or the container itself urges the lever and lugs away from the container whereby the valve closes.

FIG. 8 illustrates one of the variant forms of valve washer or closure members suitable for use in accordance with the invention. As illustrated, the valve comprises a relatively rigid center portion 28 having a peripheral edge groove 29 which carries a removable washerlike member 3%) forming the necessary resilient edge for sealing against container walls. This structure enables simple replacement of the resilient portion of the valve. Also, the PEG. 8 structure is formed such that the resilient edge 30 yields by simple deflection rather than by compression. For convenience a transverse handle 28' is provided.

As previously noted, the valve arrangement of the invention is also adapted to the control of fluid flow through conduits. particular application to laboratory work where an infinite variety of valved set ups are required.

A particular embodiment of the invention useful for general valving on conduits is illustrated in FIG. 9, it being understood that the structure there shown is not the full equivalent of the structure of FIGS. 1-7 but represents a particular embodiment of the invention useful in a variety of different applications.

FIG. 9 illustrates one form of the valve of the invention adapted for use in conduits. Basically the valve comprises a disc 31 having a stiff central portion 32 and a resilient peripheral edge portion 33 and is of overall diameter to fit snugly into a flexible tube 34 with its edge in sealing engagement with the inner Wall of the tube. For convenience, the valve washer is secured to a stem 36 which is in turn secured to a rigid discharge nozzle or cap 37 fitted and suitably secured to the tube end. The stem and cap serve to keep the valve in proper position transverse of the tube. Opening and closing of the valve is regulated by finger pressure applied to the tube adjacentthe edges of the valve washer. The flexible tube may connect to any source of liquid; and the valve, in the form shown, may be inserted into the tube end. An alternate construction would include a retaining groove such as 13 in FIG. 1 for holding the valve washer; and a complete valve assembly would include the valve washer and short length of tube suitable for connection to an conduit.

Although the embodiments of FIGS. 1-7 have been shown with a groove 13 retaining the valve washer, it is obvious that by proper design, frictional engagement of the valve washer will be suflicient to secure it in place for use. Also, the pressure application illustrated in FIGS. 56 may take variant forms.

Of great importance to construction and operation of the valve assembly is the relative resiliency of the various elements thereof. In this connection, the container or tube, as the case may he, must be sufficiently flexible to yield under pressure a suflicient amount that its contour changes; at the same time, the valve washer must be so constructed that it deforms, as by compression or simple deflection, primarily at the points of pressure application and does not deform in the same way or to the same degree as does the container. In accordance with the invention, the valve washer is made to meet these requirements by providing it with a stiffener located inboard of the resilient edge. This stiflener may take the form of an annular member such as washer 14 of FIG. 1 or an entire center disc such as 28 of FIG. 8, the important requirement being that it is relatively rigid with respect to the container and the resilient edge. In other words, the stiffener must yield less than either the container or resilient edge under the samepressure. In yielding, the washer should not pop out of its proper location with respect to the container. Consequently, care must be taken that the'washer yields easily as by direct c0mpres- Such an embodiment would be of sion, as would be the case in the structures shown in FIGS. land 9, or by simple deflection as would be the case in the structure shown in FIG. 8, and so returns readily to the sealing position upon release of pressure.

Although the invention has been described as embodied in round vessels, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such configurations as it may be embodied in any generally tubular structure that is deformable upon the application of pressure to opposite sides thereof.

1 claim:

1. A flow control device comprising in combination a generally tubular flexible walled member, a fluid impervious generally disc-like valve member adapted to be received concentrically within said tubular member transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof and with its peripheral edge in sealing engagement with the inner wall of said tubular member, and said valve member comprising a deformable peripheral edge portion formed from resilient material, and a stiffener inwardly adjacent all of said edge portion, wherebywhen pressure is applied to two opposite sides of the walled member at a location where said deformable peripheral edge contacts said wall passages are formed between said wall and said deformable periphral edge portion at two other opposite sides of said wall where pressure is not applied.

2. A valved fluid container comprising a container having a flexible wall portion, a fluid impervious disc-like closure member adapted to be received concentrically in said container with its peripheral edge in sealing contact with said flexible wall; and said closure member comprising a resilient peripheral edge portion deformable upon inward movement of an adjacent portion of said flexible wall, and a relatively rigid stiffener inwardly adjacent said resilient peripheral edge portion, whereby when pressure is applied to two opposite sides of the flexible wall at a location where said peripheral edge is in sealing contact with said wall passages are formed between said flexible wall and said peripheral edge at two other opposite sides of said flexible wall where pressure is not applied.

3. A valved container comprising in combination a container having a flexible wall, a disc-like closure member adapted to be received in said container with its peripheral edge in sealing engagement with said flexible wall, means for securing said closure member in place in said container, and said closure member being formed with its peripheral edge portion of resilient material deformable upon inward movement of the flexible wall in contact therewith and an inner portion relatively resistant to yielding upon said inward movement, whereby when pressure is applied to two opposite sides of the flexible wall at a location where said peripheral edge is in sealing contact with said wall passages are formed between said flexible wall and said peripheral edge at two other opposite sides of said flexible wall where pressure is not applied.

4. A valved container according to preceding claim 4 in which said means securing said closure member in place in said container comprises a continuous groove in the inner wall of said container adapted to receive said peripheral edge of said closure.

5. A valved fluid container comprising in combination a container having a flexible wall and being deformable upon the application of pressure to opposite sides thereof, a closure member seated transversely in said container, said closure member having a resilient peripheral edge portion adapted to sealingly engage the inner surface of said flexible wall and a relatively rigid portion inwardly adjacent to said peripheral edge portion, and means for applying pressure to opposite sides of said container to deform the same and effect deformation of portions of said resilient edge portion of said closure member, said means comprising a rigid member mounted on said container to be movable from a point remote from said closure member into substantially simultaneous contact with opposite sides of said container adjacent said closure member, whereby upon the application of pressure by said rigid member to two opposite sides of said flexible wall of said container passages are formed at two other opposite sides of said container between said flexible wall and said resilient peripheral edge portion of said closure member where pressure is not applied.

6. A valved fluid container according to preceding claim 5 in which said rigid member mounted on said container comprises a U-shaped member, means pivotally mounting the free ends of said member to opposite sides of said container at a location spaced from the point of contact of said closure member with said flexible wall, said U-shaped member being formed to engage the opposite outer walls of said container upon pivoting of its closed end toward said container, and resilient means normally urging the closed end of said U-shaped member away from said container.

7. A fiuid control valve comprising a conduit having a flexible wall, a disc-like closure member received transversely in said conduit with its peripheral edges in sealing engagement with the inner surface of said flexible wall,

said closure member being formed with a resilient peripheral edge portion deformable upon inward flexing of said flexible wall and a relativel rigid portion located inwardly adjacent to said resilient edge portion, and means for securing said closure member in said conduit, whereby when pressure is applied to two opposite sides of the flexibie wall at a location Where said peripheral edge is in sealing contact with said wall passages are formed be tween said flexible wall and said peripheral edge at two other opposite sides of said flexible Wall where pressure is not applied.

8. A fluid control valve according to preceding claim 7 in which said means securing said closure member in said conduit comprises a stem secured at one end to said closure member and at the other end to a fluid pervious member detachably connectable to one end of said conduit.

References (Zited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FLOW CONTROL DEVICE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A GENERALLY TUBULAR FLEXIBLE WALLED MEMBER, A FLUID IMPERVIOUS GENERALLY DISC-LIKE VALVE MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE RECEIVED CONCENTRICALLY WITHIN SAID TUBULAR MEMBER TRANSVERSE TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS THEREOF AND WITH ITS PERIPHERAL EDGE IN SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE INNER WALL OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER, AND SAID VALVE MEMBER COMPRISING A DEFORMABLE PERIPHERAL EDGE PORTION FORMED FROM RESILIENT MATERIAL, AND A STIFFENER INWARDLY ADJACENT ALL OF SAID EDGE PORTION, WHEREBY WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO TWO OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE WALLED MEMBER AT A LOCATION WHERE SAID 